Many people hate going to the dentist, and one part of the dental assistant’s job is to help patients relax and feel comfortable. In addition to having good people skills, a dental assistant needs to be a skilled, detail-oriented technician who helps the dentist run the office and treat patients. These varied functions mean the assistant must have a wide range of skills.

The Dental Assistant's Job

Because dental assistants handle appointment scheduling, their job typically starts before patients arrive. When the patient comes, the assistant asks for a medical history and insurance information. Dental assistants prepare patients for treatment procedures and assist the dentist during treatment and examinations. A dental assistant also explains post-treatment care to patients and instructs them in oral hygiene. Assistants help manage the office, including record-keeping, billing and processing payments.

Skills

Dental assistants must know how to prevent infections by sterilizing instruments and properly cleaning treatment areas. They also may take patients’ blood pressure and pulse, hand instruments to the dentist and use suction equipment to keep patients’ mouths clear during treatment. In some states, dental assistants can clean teeth and apply sealants, fluoride compounds and topical anesthesia. In many dental offices, the dental assistant takes and develops X-rays and takes impressions of a patient’s teeth to prepare models for the dentist to study. Finally, the dental assistant must be well organized and know how to prepare insurance forms and other records.

Training

Training requirements vary by state. Some states have no formal regulations, and a dental assistant can train on the job. In others, dental assistants must complete an approved training program, often one accredited by the American Dental Association. Trainees should have a high school diploma with courses in anatomy, biology and chemistry. Training programs are available at community colleges and typically take about a year to complete. Some community colleges offer a longer program leading to an associate degree. Students take classes, learn laboratory procedures and practice under supervision. In some states, dental assistants must take an exam to obtain licenses or certifications.

Career Prospects

Demand for dental assistants is very good, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which projects a 31-percent increase in jobs through 2020. The public is becoming aware that dental health impacts general health, prompting people to seek more dental care. In addition, the American population is aging, and older people tend to need more dental care. The BLS says the median pay for dental assistants in 2012 was $34,500, with the bottom 10 percent making under $23,550 and the best-paid 10 percent earning over $47,580.